Conference on Prevalence and Patterns of Digital Violence, and the Intersection Between Digital Violence and Offline Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Sub-Saharan Africa

 

AFRIHEALTH OPTONET ASSOCIATION (AHOA)

 

COMMUNIQUÉ

Conference on Prevalence and Patterns of Digital Violence, and the Intersection Between Digital Violence and Offline Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Sub-Saharan Africa; and the Inauguration of AHOA’s Country/State Advisors

Date: 8^th December 2025

 

PREAMBLE

 

Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA), under the leadership of its CEO, Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje, convened a regional conference to examine the prevalence, patterns, and intersections between digital violence and offline gender-based violence (GBV) in Sub-Saharan Africa. The conference, which attracted 55 organizations participants from various countries, also marked the inauguration of AHOA’s new Country and State Advisors. The gathering brought together experts, gender advocates, civil society actors, health professionals, technology stakeholders, and community leaders to deepen understanding and advance solutions to this growing public health and human rights challenge.

 

KEY OBSERVATIONS AND DISCUSSIONS

 

1.      Rising Burden of Digital Violence:

Participants noted that technological expansion in Sub-Saharan Africa has resulted in increased incidents of cyber stalking, digital harassment, image-based abuse, deepfake exploitation, online threats, and non-consensual data exposure. These digital harms disproportionately target women and girls, reinforcing existing gender inequalities.

 

2.      Intersection with Offline GBV:

Evidence and lived experiences shared during the conference affirmed that digital violence often mirrors, escalates, or triggers offline GBV—including physical, psychological, sexual, and economic abuse. Participants emphasized that digital and offline violence form a continuum rooted in power imbalances and patriarchal norms.

 

3.      Contextual Realities:

Speakers highlighted persistent cultural silence around violence in many African societies, the normalization of harmful practices, the vulnerability of migrants and women in conflict zones, and the absence of adequate policies to address technology-facilitated gender-based violence in several countries.

 

FORMS AND EXPRESSIONS OF GBV:

 

The conference examined diverse manifestations of GBV, including traditional practices such as exploitative domestic servitude systems, cyberbullying, hacking, intimidation of women in leadership, and violence experienced by soldiers and vulnerable groups—often underreported due to stigma.

 

NEED FOR MULTISECTORAL RESPONSES:

 

Discussions underscored the essential roles of governments, civil society, technology companies, educators, health workers, law enforcement, and community structures in addressing both digital and offline GBV.

 

RESOLUTIONS AND COMMITMENTS

 

The conference adopted the following resolutions:

 

1.      Strengthening Legal and Policy Frameworks:

Governments across Sub-Saharan Africa must urgently update, harmonize, and enforce laws addressing digital violence, including provisions on cyber stalking, image-based abuse, digital surveillance, online harassment, and identity-based digital crimes.

 

2.      Improving Accountability within Digital Platforms:

Social media companies, telecommunication operators, and digital service providers should enhance reporting mechanisms, content moderation systems, transparency processes, and user safety tools. Collaboration with African civil society organizations and women’s groups is critical.

 

3.      Scaling Digital Literacy and Community Sensitization:

AHOA and partners will expand digital safety education for women, girls, educators, and community leaders, with targeted interventions to reduce vulnerability to digital harm.

 

4.      Integrating Digital Violence into GBV Response Systems:

Health facilities, legal services, psychosocial support centres, helplines, and community GBV programs should integrate screening, documentation, counselling, and referral for digital violence as part of survivor-centred care.

 

5.      Enhancing Data and Evidence Systems:

Governments, academic institutions, and civil society organizations will strengthen data generation, analysis, and dissemination on digital violence to inform policies and interventions.

 

6.      Promoting Multisectoral Partnerships:

Participants committed to fostering stronger cross-sector collaboration involving government agencies, development partners, CSOs, youth networks, technology actors, traditional and faith leaders to create safer digital and physical spaces.

 

7.      Institutional Strengthening of AHOA:

The conference formally inaugurated AHOA’s Country Advisors and State Advisors, who will champion the association’s digital safety, GBV prevention, and community empowerment agenda at national and sub-national levels.

 

CALL TO ACTION

 

The conference calls on all governments, development stakeholders, digital platforms, civil society organizations, and community leaders to take decisive action to address digital violence as an urgent gender, health, and security priority. It encourages collective commitment to safeguarding the rights, dignity, and safety of women and girls online and offline.

 

CONCLUSION

 

AHOA expresses deep appreciation to all participants and stakeholders who contributed to the success of the conference. The Association reaffirms its commitment to leading regional efforts on digital safety, gender equality, and community wellbeing. AHOA will follow through on all adopted resolutions and ensure sustained advocacy, capacity-building, and partnerships to end digital and gender-based violence in Sub-Saharan Africa.

 

Issued by:

Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA)

 

Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje

CEO/PR, AHOA

Date: 8^th December 2025